Peaceful Worcester neighborhood belies violent act

Friday

Jul 12, 2013 at 1:54 PMJul 12, 2013 at 4:49 PM

By Donna Boynton & Alicia Lazzaro , TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — A vase of flowers, flanked by tall white candles, stands in front of the white garage door at 1 Thistle Lane, the only hint of something out of place at the home of Vincent and Ellen Maher.

The American flags lining the perimeter of the flower beds Mr. Maher was often seen tending, waved in the slight breeze this morning. The lawn had been freshly mowed, grass clippings mounded in the street. Dragonflies flitted among bushes in the neighborhood of townhouse condominiums.

On the front step of the couple's home were three days' worth of newspapers, including today's edition reporting their death.

Mr. and Mrs. Maher were found dead inside their home Wednesday afternoon after an apparent murder-suicide. A 42-year-old man called police around 4:30 p.m. after he found his 71-year-old mother and 70-year-old stepfather dead inside the home.

Neighbors yesterday said they were shocked to learn of the couples' death. Mr. Maher, whom neighbors called Vinnie, was often seen outside tending his flowers; Mrs. Maher often offered a friendly wave and went on frequent trips organized by the senior center, one neighbor said.

For the most part, the neighborhood Friday was business as usual, with a landscaping company mowing lawns and residents out for a run.

The Mahers were known in the neighborhood as very friendly people, according to neighbor Jim Currie. Mr. Maher always said hello and was never one to turn down a conversation.

"I'm shocked — the whole neighborhood is. I didn't know them very well, but I talked to Vinny a number of times. Ellen was very quiet," Mr. Currie said. "They usually kept to themselves, but Ellen often took walks. Vinny and I would talk baseball — he was very active. Even on the hottest days of the year, he would be out playing softball."

Mr. Currie has lived 8 Thistle Lane since 2005 and is still absorbing yesterday's events.

"It was strange to see: There were cruisers and cops everywhere," Mr. Currie said. "You would never expect something like this to happen in your very own neighborhood."

Fellow resident Steven Meenes of 6 Thistle Lane said his first reaction was pure shock.

"They were very nice people. It's a shame. You never know what can happen behind closed doors," Mr. Meenes said.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicated the incident was a domestic murder-suicide, and the investigation is ongoing. The exact cause of the deaths will not be released until the autopsies are completed.

Contact Donna Boynton at dboynton@telegram.com or follow her on Twitter @DonnaBoyntonTG